About the course

We have an excellent heritage as an accredited ITT provider and in the 20 years we’ve been operating we’ve had superb results.

In 2015 we were named by the ‘Good Teacher Training Guide’ as one of the Top 10 teacher trainer providers in the country and the second best primary teacher trainer nationally.

Our course completion, employability and trainee satisfaction rates have been consistently high. We believe this is down to our commitment, capability and credibility, which is underpinned by our ethos of bringing out the best in every individual.

You’ll be in school from the first day of the new school year, and as such you’ll be very much part of the team, treated as a member of staff and joining in with staff meetings and development days. You’ll also be given a comprehensive induction programme, so you can familiarise yourself with all that’s expected of you.

Our weekly professional studies and subject knowledge programmes give you the perfect opportunity to meet and network with your fellow trainees, and are essential to developing your skills and knowledge as a teacher. We offer full training in areas such as learning technologies, special educational needs, accelerated learning and behaviour management.

You’ll be supported by two mentors in school – one from your subject area and another senior member of staff. This is your opportunity to create a personalised training programme which will meet your own specific learning goals and ultimate ambitions.

"I would highly recommend the George Spencer SCITT course to anyone that is interested in classroom teaching. My training was, by far, the most challenging but most rewarding year. The commitment, individualism and, most importantly, support that was in place for me as a training teacher was excellent and couldn’t be faulted."

Trainee 2017/18

Interview process

You will be invited to attend a one day interview at GSA or a partner school where you will be welcomed by a member of the GSA SCITT team. You will be interviewed by the Director of ITT or the Teacher Pathways Leader and a subject specialist from GSA or one of our partner schools.

You will spend time in the faculty and observe teaching in your subject. You will also give a 5 -10 minute presentation to students in a class regarding your interest in your subject area and your motivation to teach.

At interview you will be given the opportunity to demonstrate your subject knowledge through a 10 minute mock lesson.

You will undertake a series of tasks designed

specifically to give us an insight into your subject knowledge and what study you may need to take prior to starting your training year

with us.

Following the end of the process we invite you to reflect on your day and communicate this to us in writing which also serves as further evidence of your ability to reflect and your proficiency in written English.

Throughout the day you will be able to meet staff and students, ask questions and seek support with the next steps open to you. There will also be an opportunity to meet an existing or former SCITT trainee.

How school placements work

We believe contrasting placements are the key to a rich and diverse training experience, so as well as your main placement school you’ll also spend five or six weeks in another school. You will undertake a series of shorter placements in other environments such as a special school and feeder primary school. This means you’ll be exposed to all kinds of teaching experiences and challenges, gaining a clear insight on how to teach a full spectrum of learners in a range of school contexts.

We have close links with a number of selected partner Secondary schools across the East Midlands, which enables you to access a diverse range of establishments during your teaching practice. Our network of partner schools offer you a breadth of experience and the opportunity to train in schools of different sizes and specialisms.

Trainees are asked to express a preference for their choice of placement schools and whilst this cannot be guaranteed, we consider every trainee's individual circumstances to ensure the best possible placement.

By the end of your programme, you’ll have transformed from a watchful observer to an active participant, taking on full classroom responsibility and preparing yourself well for an NQT timetable.

Fees

The course fees for 2019/2020 are as follows:

Student type

Fees to pay

UK students

£9,000

EU students

£9,000

School Direct Training Route: Fees are £8,750 for QTS* only and £9,000 for QTS* with PGCE. You’ll pay in two instalments – 75% by 1 September and the remainder by 31 October.

School Direct (Salaried) Training Route: You don’t pay anything for a QTS* only, and it’s £3,750 for QTS* with PGCE. This is due by 1 September. As it’s a salaried route, you won’t be able to apply for financial support so will need to self-fund.

QTS* (*The title of this award is subject to change due to an ongoing government consultation. For the latest information, please visit https://consult.education.gov.uk/teaching-profession-unit/strengthening-qts-and-improving-career-progression/ )

Financial support

You could be eligible for either:

a scholarship of £28,000

a bursary of £26,000

To qualify for a scholarship you’ll need a degree of 2:1 or above in Physics or a related subject. For a bursary you’ll need a 2:2 or above in any subject.

You can’t claim both a bursary and a scholarship - you can only claim one.

Requirements

Qualifications

You will need at least a grade C in GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent).

A UK first degree with honours (or equivalent qualification). NARIC may be required.

We ask that your degree is at least 50% relevant to the subject that you wish to teach. (2:1 preferred but we will consider 2:2)

Personal qualities

*Desire and passion to become a teacher and to challenge and inspire your students.

*Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with proficiency in both written and spoken English.

*Strong subject knowledge and an understanding of it in the context of educating young people.

*Commitment to high standards and excellence.

*A wider understanding of the purpose of education.

*Resilience and determination to succeed both as a trainee and as a teacher.

*The ability to meet the mental and physical demands of classroom teaching.

Other requirements

*Applicants with relevant industrial or commercial experience are very welcome to apply.

*Skills Tests.

*DBS Checks.

About the training provider

We offer a high quality teacher training programme (QTS and PGCE) with outstanding outcomes for trainees and high satisfaction ratings. (Ofsted 2013)

Our team are highly experienced, approachable and supportive including first rate mentors and trainers who are all serving teachers and are passionate about providing first rate teachers for the region.

Subject knowledge and pedagogical skills are enhanced through our comprehensive subject knowledge and professional studies programmes.

Our programme aims to challenge you to become and expert teacher while fully supporting you in every aspect of your training.

A wide variety of placements and experiences are available and you will benefit from our diverse range of schools some of which are culturally mixed, in challenging socio-economic circumstances or graded outstanding by Ofsted.

Our partners include an outstanding PGCE Provider (University of Derby), George Spencer Academy Teaching School Alliance and East Midlands West Maths Hub.

Ongoing professional development programmes are available beyond your training year including NQT and RQT programmes, Middle leader courses and National Professional Qualifications.

Training with disabilities and other needs

Here at George Spencer Academy SCITT your individual needs are taken into account from the minute we receive your application through to completion of the programme and beyond.

We are able to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabilities and other health conditions.

Our specialist staff are available to support learning needs such as dyslexia, using their wealth of experience and knowledge and specialised resources.

To enable you to achieve your full potential our programme supports you to create a productive work-life balance whilst promoting good health and wellbeing.